Tennis prodigy just having fun

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Heather Watson who gave Maria Sharapova a real scare at the US Open

TENNIS PRODIGY Heather Watson has said she has said she had ” fun” despite her defeat to Maria Sharapova at the US Open.

Watson, the US Open junior champion two years ago, was beaten 3-6 7-5 6-3 in a dramatic match at Flushing Meadows which lasted over two hours.

"I had a lot of fun today," said the teenager from Guernsey. "It's what I want to do. I want to be out there on the big courts playing the top players. It was a really great match, very competitive. We played some really great tennis.

"I had my chances in the second set. You have to create the opportunity but also execute, and I was probably a bit too defensive on those important points. "But I always believed I could win. There's no point in my going out there if I don't believe that I can win."

Watson was playing in the US Open main draw for the first time, but despite it being the highest-profile match of her life she was not fazed by playing in the world famous Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Watson, who cites Serena Williams, Usain Bolt, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga among her sporting heroes, says her ambition is to win a Grand Slam and become world No.1.

The tennis ace is of mixed heritage with mother Michelle from Papua New Guinea while her father is Manchester-born Englishman Ian Watson.

Posted on: 30/08/2011 11:05 AM

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